U.S. patent application number 15/133648 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-01 for ultrasonic method and device for cosmetic applications.
The applicant listed for this patent is Robert T. Bock. Invention is credited to Robert T. Bock.
Application Number | 20160250457 15/133648 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56798599 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160250457 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bock; Robert T. |
September 1, 2016 |
Ultrasonic Method and Device for Cosmetic Applications
Abstract
A combination of low frequency high amplitude sonic frequency
vibrations and high frequency low intensity ultrasonic pressure
waves are applied to cosmetic compounds and to the skin to promote
improved penetration of the cosmetic compounds into the epidermis.
The cosmetic applicator device includes means for generating both
sonic frequency vibrations and ultrasonic pressure waves adopted to
deliver cosmetic compounds into the epidermis safely without
significant temperature rise in the skin. Various removable
applicator and skin cleaning attachments are also disclosed,
including some with ultrasound waveguide.
Inventors: |
Bock; Robert T.; (Brewster,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bock; Robert T. |
Brewster |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56798599 |
Appl. No.: |
15/133648 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14634556 |
Feb 27, 2015 |
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15133648 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 2200/1046 20130101;
A61B 2017/00765 20130101; A46B 9/021 20130101; A61H 7/005 20130101;
A61M 2037/0007 20130101; A61H 23/0236 20130101; A61H 23/0245
20130101; A61K 41/0047 20130101; A61H 2201/1685 20130101; A61H
2201/1695 20130101; A61H 23/0263 20130101; A46B 5/0095 20130101;
A46B 13/023 20130101; A61M 37/0092 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61M 37/00 20060101
A61M037/00; A46B 9/02 20060101 A46B009/02; A46B 13/02 20060101
A46B013/02; A46B 5/00 20060101 A46B005/00 |
Claims
1. An improved method of facilitating the penetration of cosmetic
or chemical compounds into a person's skin comprising, applying
said compound to the skin, then applying sonic frequency vibrations
to said compound and said skin to disorganize the top layer of the
stratum corneum and the lipid bilayers and to safely increase the
permeability of said skin, concurrently applying ultrasonic
pressure waves to said compound and said skin of sufficiently high
intensity to cause mild cavitation in said skin thereby opening up
deeper passageways through said stratum corneum by further
disordering said lipid bilayers and further increasing the
permeability of said skin to allow the deeper penetration of the
molecules of said compound applied to said skin.
2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the sonic frequency
vibrations applied in the range of about 33 to about 250 Hz, and
the ultrasonic pressure waves are applied in the range of about 15
kHz to about 20 MHz in a continuous wave modality.
3. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the sonic frequency
vibrations applied in the range of about 33 to about 250 Hz, and
the ultrasonic pressure waves are applied in the range of about 15
kHz to about 20 MHz in a pulsed wave modality.
4. The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein said skin is cleaned by a
device powered by low sonic frequency vibrations in combination
with ultrasonic pressure waves prior to the application of said
compound to the skin.
5. A device to improve penetration of cosmetic or chemical
compounds into the skin comprising, a handle end and an applicator
end, means to generate sonic frequency vibrations of said
applicator end operative to increase permeability of said skin, an
ultrasound transducer located in the applicator end, means to
generate and connect ultrasonic frequency electric signals to said
ultrasound transducer, said ultrasound transducer generating
ultrasonic pressure waves when energized by said ultrasonic
frequency electric signals operative to transmit said ultrasonic
pressure waves from said applicator end into said skin operative to
increase permeability of said skin and to increase penetration of
said compound into said skin.
6. The device of claim 5 further comprising a battery supplying
power to said means to generate ultrasonic frequency electric
signals and said means to generate sonic frequency vibrations of
said applicator end.
7. A device as defined in claim 5 or 6 wherein the sonic frequency
vibrations of the applicator end are in the range of about 33 to
about 250 Hz, and the ultrasonic pressure waves generated by the
piezoelectric transducer are in the range of about 15 kHz to about
20 MHz in a continuous wave modality.
8. A device as defined in claim 5 or 6 wherein the sonic frequency
vibrations of the applicator end are in the range of about 33 to
about 250 Hz, and the ultrasonic pressure waves generated by the
piezoelectric transducer are in the range of about 15 kHz to about
20 MHz in a pulsed wave modality.
9. A device as defined in claim 7 or 8 wherein the sonic frequency
vibrations of the applicator end are converted by motion transducer
means into a relatively large vibration amplitude component
perpendicular to the skin versus a relatively small vibration
amplitude component of said sonic frequency vibrations parallel to
the skin.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein the vibration amplitude
conversion of the motion transducer means is variable by the
user.
11. The device of claim 5 wherein the applicator contact surface is
flat.
12. The device of claim 5 further comprising a removable applicator
accessory having a concave contact surface.
13. The device of claim 5 further comprising a removable applicator
accessory having a convex contact surface.
14. The device of claim 5 further comprising a removable brush
accessory having at least one tuft of bristles utilizing said sonic
and said ultrasonic frequency vibrations operative to cleanse said
skin to further enhance penetration of said compounds into said
skin.
15. A cosmetic applicator comprising: a) a rigid elongated member
having a handle portion and an applicator head portion; b) said
applicator head portion having an ultrasound transducer operative
to produce ultrasonic pressure waves at frequencies between 20 kHz
and 20 MHz; and c) an ultrasound waveguide acoustically coupled to
said ultrasound transducer operative to transmit ultrasound
pressure waves into the skin to facilitate enhanced penetration of
cosmetic compounds into said skin; d) said handle portion having
means to generate ultrasonic frequency electric signals and
transmitting said electric signals to power said ultrasound
transducer; and e) a motor mounted in said handle portion to
generate sonic frequency vibrations in the range of about 33 to
about 250 Hz of said applicator head operative to increase
permeability of said skin.
16. The cosmetic applicator of claim 15 wherein said ultrasound
waveguide is removably mounted to the said applicator head
portion.
17. The cosmetic applicator of claim 15 or 16 wherein said
ultrasound waveguide comprises a tapered metal core acoustically
coupled to said ultrasound transducer, operational to focus and
transmit ultrasound pressure waves into small restricted areas of
the facial anatomy.
18. The cosmetic applicator of claim 16 wherein said metal core of
said ultrasound waveguide is secured to said applicator head
portion by soft plastic enclosure.
19. The cosmetic applicator of claim 15 wherein the ultrasound
transducer generates ultrasound pressure waves below 2 MHz
frequency.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Continuation-in-Part application of Ser. No.
14/634,556 filed Feb. 27, 2015, the contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entireties as if fully set forth
herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to sonic and/or ultrasonic devices
for cosmetic applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis
consists of dead cells (corneocytes). The purpose of this layer of
dead skin is to form a barrier to protect underlying living tissue
from infection, dehydration, and chemical attacks.
[0004] Unfortunately, the same low permeability barrier
characteristic of the stratum corneum, which protects the body from
infections, also resists the penetration of beneficial cosmetic and
chemical compounds, such as moisturizers, alpha-hydroxyl acids,
collagen, vitamins and vasodilators. In addition, oily and
congested skin conditions are also reducing the penetration of
beneficial skin treatment compounds.
[0005] The invention is concerned with methods and apparatus
facilitating the use of sonic and ultrasonic energy coupled to the
skin to temporarily increase the permeability of the skin and
enhance the absorption of beneficial cosmetic and chemical
compounds into the skin, and particularly to direct and focus the
ultrasound energy into small restricted areas such as the nose and
face interface by the utilization of an ultrasound waveguide.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
[0006] Numerous attempts have been made in the past to enhance the
penetrations of cosmetic compounds into the skin by chemical,
electrical and ultrasonic means.
[0007] The application of chemicals to modify the skin structure to
allow the penetration of cosmetics was found to be dangerous
because while it provided access for cosmetics to penetrate, it
left the body unprotected against harmful environments, interacting
with corneocytes causing irritation, erythema (red skin) and
contact dermatitis.
[0008] The application of electrical fields to create transient
transport pathways by a method called electroporation, and the
method to electrically charge molecules to increase their
penetration into the skin called iontophoresis (U.S. Pat. No.
6,169,920), have both been proven costly and ineffective.
Electrical abrasion devices for increasing the skin's permeability
(U.S. Pat. No. 8,386,027) remove some layers of the stratum corneum
causing intense irritation and discomfort.
[0009] The effort of prior art of ultrasonically induced drug
delivery (sonophoresis) described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,532 is
focused in driving drug molecules through the skin by high
frequency and high intensity ultrasonic pressure waves. This
procedure suffers from the disadvantage of tissue heating and the
associated modification and sometimes destruction of healthy
cells.
[0010] To achieve a non tissue heating modality, ultrasound devices
described by McDaniel (US 2001/0041856), Reed (US 2009/0318853 A1),
and Bock (U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,275) are typically operate at 35
mW/cm.sup.2 intensity and utilizing ultrasound transducers of 12 mm
diameter and larger. While these devices are highly suitable for
use on large flat surface areas of the face, these devices will not
fit into and cannot apply the compounds into restricted areas such
as the intersection of the face and the nose and particularly
between the eyes and the nose. Merely creating a smaller device to
fit into these restricted areas would defeat the purpose of having
a general purpose application device for the larger flat areas of
the face.
[0011] Notwithstanding the teaching of the prior art, the ability
to deliver cosmetic compounds into the skin by a general purpose
device for both in small and restricted areas and the large flat
areas of the face safely and effectively has remained unsolved.
[0012] Responding to the above described unresolved needs, the
object of this invention is to provide a general purpose skin care
apparatus to safely increase the permeability of the stratum
corneum and deliver cosmetic compounds deeply into the dermis in
both the small and restricted areas and the large flat areas of the
face.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] As noted in the description of the prior art, the safety of
the typical sonophoresis apparatus is compromised by the high
intensity requirements of the process, resulting in excessive
tissue heating and its associated consequences.
[0014] An objective of the invention is to improve the safety of
typical sonophoresis apparatus to deliver cosmetic compounds into
the dermis at reduced ultrasound intensity, particularly in small
and restricted areas of the face, such as between the eyes and the
nose.
[0015] The invention achieves this objective of utilizing lower
intensity ultrasonic pressure waves by augmenting the ultrasonic
pressure waves with non-tissue heating low frequency sonic
vibrations applied to the skin in combination with the high
frequency ultrasound. The low frequency sonic vibration component
of this new method increases the permeability of the skin and
allows a lower intensity non-tissue heating ultrasound component to
drive the cosmetic compound through the stratum corneum into the
dermis. Furthermore, since oils and various contaminants on the
skin can reduce the penetration of cosmetic compounds, an optional
pre treatment skin-cleansing step is part of the disclosed method.
To reach into small and restricted areas, the invention utilizes
slim metallic ultrasound waveguides.
[0016] In the above discussion, the terms cosmetic compounds and
vasodilators includes but not limited to skin care products such as
anti wrinkle lotions, moisturizers, antioxidant vitamins,
alpha-hydroxyl acids, liposomes, collagen, elastin, hair growth and
hair remover compounds and others.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal cross section of the invention
consisting of the device handle, the motion transducer neck, the
applicator portion including an ultrasonic transducer, the driving
motor, electronic controls and battery.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows the cross section of the neck of the device,
which is configured to act as a motion transducer.
[0019] FIG. 3A shows the applicator head of the device in contact
with the skin.
[0020] FIG. 3B illustrates the sonic frequency component of the
device and its effects on the stratum corneum.
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates the simultaneous application of the sonic
frequency vibration and ultrasound pressure wave components of the
device and their combined effects on the stratum corneum.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal cross section of an alternative
configuration of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 6 shows a removable applicator head designed for convex
areas of the anatomy.
[0024] FIG. 7A shows a removable applicator head designed for
concave areas of the anatomy.
[0025] FIG. 7B shows a removable applicator head designed for
concave areas of the anatomy having an ultrasound waveguide.
[0026] FIG. 8 shows a removable brush head for cleansing the
skin.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the invention of the ultrasonic
cosmetic applicator 20 in a preferred configuration. The applicator
20 comprises a tubular shaped handle portion 22, a neck portion 24,
and an applicator head portion 26 constructed of a rigid plastic
material such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), an
ultrasound transducer 28, a driving motor 30, an eccentric weight
32 mounted on the output shaft of the driving motor 30, an
electronic module 36, a battery pack 38, and interconnecting wiring
40.
[0028] The ultrasound transducer 28 is typically constructed of a
piezo-electric ceramic material such as PZT-8 grade Lead Zirconate
Titanate manufactured by Morgan Matroc, Inc., or similar products
manufactured by numerous other entities. The construction of the
ultrasound transducer 28 can be a single or a multiple element
unit, as it is commonly practiced by people familiar in the
art.
[0029] The ABS material utilized for the applicator 20 is due to
the ABS excellent acoustic characteristics. However, numerous other
rigid plastic materials could be substituted to achieve various
cost and performance goals of the designers.
[0030] Control switch 34 energizes the driving motor 30, which
rotates the eccentrically mounted weight 32 between 2,000 and
25,000 RPM, ideal speed being at 9,000 RPM, generating a 33 to 417
Hertz sonic frequency rotational vibration 44 of the handle 22 and
neck 24 portions of the applicator 20, which is considered a
relatively low sonic frequency vibration in the art, which defines
sonic frequency vibration as being 10 to 20,000 Hertz. As shown in
FIG. 2 the cross section of the neck 24 is designed to be
relatively thin in the vertical direction X compared to the lateral
direction Y thereby significantly increasing the vertical vibration
42 amplitude of the applicator head 26 while significantly
decreasing lateral vibration 46 amplitude of the applicator head
26. In other words, the neck portion 24 of the applicator 20 is
designed to be a motion transducer to convert the rotational
vibration 44 of the handle 22 portion of the applicator 20 into a
substantially vertical vibration 42 of the applicator head 26,
converting the rotational energy of the motor 30 into vertically
vibrating energy of the applicator head 26.
[0031] The battery pack 38 can be constructed as a single cell or
multi cell battery pack, of various chemistries, such as Alkaline
Manganese, Nickel-Cadmium, Ni-Mh, Lithium or other newer
construction.
[0032] The major function of the electronic module 36 is to convert
the low voltage DC power, typically 1.5 to 4.8 VDC, of the battery
pack 38 into high voltage (4.8 to 60 Volt) typically sinusoidal
wave ultrasonic frequency (typically 15 kHz to 20 MHz) DC power in
a continuous wave or burst wave modality.
[0033] Simultaneously with energizing the driving motor 30, switch
34 also activates the electronic module 36. Through the
interconnecting wiring 40 the electronic module 36 energizes the
ultrasound transducer 28 which contracts and expands in tune with
the high frequency DC power and converts this electronic power into
ultrasonic pressure waves 48 at a typical intensity from 0.05 to
0.5 W/cm.sup.2.
[0034] In FIG. 3A the applicator head 26 of the applicator 20 is
shown in position on top of the outer surface of the stratum
corneum 52, consisting of flat dead cells filled with keratin
fibers surrounded by ordered lipid bilayers 54A shown in a relaxed
position 58. The ordered structure of the stratum corneum 52 and
the ordered lipid bilayers 54A are forming a normally almost
impermeable skin structure. A thin layer of cosmetic compound 50 is
shown to be disposed between the applicator contact surface 92 of
the applicator head 26 and the stratum corneum 52. A typically very
limited amount of small molecules 56 of the cosmetic compound 50
are shown to be penetrating slightly into the ordered lipid
bilayers 54A without assistance from the applicator head 26.
[0035] FIG. 3B shows the applicator head 26 activated in the
vertically vibrating 42 mode on top of the stratum corneum 52 and a
thin layer of cosmetic compound 50 is shown to be disposed between
the applicator contact surface 92 of the applicator head 26 and the
stratum corneum 52. The vertical vibration 42 of the applicator
head 26 (also depicted with solid and dashed lines to illustrate
vibration) repeatedly compresses and relaxes the stratum corneum 52
and the ordered lipid bilayers 54A from the relaxed position 58 to
the compressed position 60 in tune with the high amplitude low
frequency vibration mode of the applicator head 26. Under the
repeated and continuing influence of this high amplitude low sonic
frequency vibration 42 and the resulting repeated compression and
relaxation cycles of the stratum corneum 52 and the ordered lipid
bilayers 54A, the ordered lipid bilayers 54A beginning to
disorganize and develop larger passage ways for the molecules 56 of
the cosmetic compound 50 to pass through. The disorganized lipid
bilayers 54B are depicted with dashed lines.
[0036] FIG. 4 shows the applicator head 26 in contact with the
stratum corneum 52 while having a thin layer of cosmetic compound
50 disposed between the applicator contact surface 92 of the
applicator head 26 and the stratum corneum 52. The ultrasound
transducer 28 is shown being energized by the electronic module 36
through the connective wiring 40 and radiating ultrasonic pressure
waves 48 into the stratum corneum 52 and the disorganized lipid
bilayers 54B. While the sonophoresis art has been demonstrated to
work in the frequency range of 20 kHz to 20 MHz and in both of a
continuous wave and a burst wave modality, it is important to
select the right combination of frequency, driving voltage, and
modality to match the size and characteristics of the piezo
electric transducer selected for the system. Hard piezo materials
such as the PZT8 formulation will output high ultrasonic power
intensities with the associated heating of tissues when driven by
high voltages. To avoid overheating the tissue, a 20% duty cycle
(20% on 80% off) burst modality has been proven helpful in prior
art.
[0037] Now, according to the invention, safety of the sonophoresis
process can be further enhanced by the simultaneous application of
a non tissue heating high amplitude low sonic frequency mechanical
vibration 42 and the ultrasonic pressure waves 48 to the stratum
corneum 52. Due to the presence of the high amplitude low sonic
frequency vibration 42 applied to the stratum corneum 52, which
establishes the initial pathways through the stratum corneum 52,
the intensity of the ultrasonic pressure waves 48 can be reduced
significantly, resulting in proportional reduction of tissue
heating, while maintaining the effectiveness of the process.
[0038] The high frequency ultrasonic pressure waves 48, as shown in
FIG. 4, penetrate the disorganized lipid bilayers 54B much deeper
than the lower sonic frequency vibrations 42 do. These ultrasonic
pressure waves 48 in a preferred frequency range of 20 kHz to 2 MHz
and in a 20% duty cycle burst modality are developing mild
cavitation deep within the lipid bilayers 54B resulting in
microscopic air and/or vacuum pockets 66 which act to further break
up the organized lipid bilayers 54A shown in FIG. 3A into
disorganized lipid bilayers 54B, generating more and deeper passage
ways for the cosmetic compound molecules 56 to penetrate through
the stratum corneum 52, through the disorganized lipid bilayers
54B, through the bottom layer of the epidermis 62 and into the
dermis 64.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal cross section of an alternative
configuration of the invention wherein the applicator 80 comprises
a tubular shaped handle portion 82 terminating in an angular
applicator head portion 90 constructed of a rigid plastic material
such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), an ultrasound
transducer 28, a driving motor 30, an eccentric weight 32 mounted
on the output shaft of the driving motor 30, an electronic module
36, a battery pack 38, and interconnecting wiring 40.
[0040] The ultrasound transducer 28 is typically constructed of a
piezo-electric ceramic material such as PZT-8 grade Lead Zirconate
Titanate manufactured by Morgan Matroc, Inc., or similar products
manufactured by numerous other entities. The construction of the
ultrasound transducer 28 can be a single or a multiple element
unit, as it is commonly practiced by people familiar in the
art.
[0041] The ABS material utilized for the applicator 80 is due to
the ABS excellent acoustic characteristics. However, numerous other
materials could be substituted to achieve various cost and
performance goals of the designers. For example, the applicator
contact surface 92 may be constructed of stainless steel or other
metallic material.
[0042] Control switch 34 energizes the driving motor 30, which
rotates the eccentrically mounted weight 32 between 2,000 and
25,000 RPM, ideal speed being at 9,000 RPM, generating a 33 to 417
Hertz sonic frequency rotational vibration 44 of the handle portion
82 of the applicator 80.
[0043] The angular positioning 87 of the applicator contact surface
92 of the applicator head portion 90 acts as a motion transducer
converting the rotational vibration 44 of the handle portion 82
into an angular rotational vibration 84 of the applicator contact
surface 92 of the applicator head portion 90. The angular
rotational vibration 84 creates a two dimensional vibration motion
of the applicator contact surface 92 in the directions of motion
vector 86 and motion vector 88.
[0044] While FIG. 5 depicts an angularly fixed applicator head
portion 90 construction, applicator 80 can also be constructed
having a user adjustable angular applicator head portion 90 wherein
the user can vary the angular positioning 87 of the applicator
contact surface 92 to increase or decrease the vibratory motion in
the directions of motion vector 86 and motion vector 88. A
decreasing angle 87 will decrease the vibration amplitude of motion
vector 88 and increase the vibration amplitude of motion vector
86.
[0045] The battery pack 38 can be constructed as a single cell or
multi cell battery pack, of various chemistries, such as Alkaline
Manganese, Nickel-Cadmium, Ni-Mh, Lithium or other newer
construction.
[0046] The major function of the electronic module 36 is to convert
the low voltage DC power, typically 1.5 to 4.8 VDC, of the battery
pack 38 into high voltage (4.8 to 60 Volt) typically sinusoidal
wave ultrasonic frequency (typically 15 kHz to 20 MHz) DC power in
a continuous wave or burst wave modality.
[0047] Simultaneously with energizing the driving motor 30, switch
34 also activates the electronic module 36. Through the
interconnecting wiring 40 the electronic module 36 energizes the
ultrasound transducer 28 which contracts and expands in tune with
the high frequency DC power and converts this electronic power into
ultrasonic pressure waves 48 at a typical intensity from 0.05 to
0.5 W/cm.sup.2.
[0048] The embodiment of the invention as applicator 80 depicted in
FIG. 5 functions the same way as the embodiment of the invention as
applicator 20 depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, and 4. More
particularly, the sonic frequency vibration of the applicator
contact surface 92 of the applicator head portion 90 in the
direction of motion vector 86 described in FIG. 5 functions the
same way as the sonic frequency vibration of the applicator contact
surface 92 of applicator head portion 26 in the direction of motion
vector 42 described in FIG. 3B and FIG. 4. The ultrasonic pressure
waves 48 radiated from applicator 80 described in FIG. 5 function
the same way as the ultrasonic pressure waves 48 radiated from
applicator head 26 described in FIG. 4. The underlying science of
the two embodiments are identical.
[0049] FIG. 6 shows a applicator head 98 designed to conduct the
low frequency orbital vibration 84 and vibration motion vectors 86
and 88 and the ultrasound pressure waves 48 into the hard convex
areas of the anatomy, such as the scalp, the elbows, and similar
areas.
[0050] The applicator contact surface 92 of the applicator head
portion 90 as described earlier in FIG. 5 is typically made of
rigid or semi rigid material designed for soft flexible surfaces of
the anatomy, such as the cheeks, where the anatomy conforms to the
applicator contact surface 92 under slight pressure and
transmission of the ultrasonic pressure waves 48 to the anatomy is
easily achieved. However, when the flat rigid applicator contact
surface 92 is applied to a hard convex area, such as the scalp, it
results in a very small single point contact, which limits the
transmission of the ultrasonic pressure waves to the anatomy.
[0051] To maximize transmission of the ultrasonic pressure waves 48
to the hard convex areas of the anatomy the applicator head 98 is
made of a flexible ultrasound conductive material such as silicone
rubber and features a concave contact surface 96 which easily
conforms to the anatomy under slight pressure. The thickness of the
soft silicone rubber material at the central point must be
minimized in the sub-millimeter region to minimize ultrasound
attenuation losses by the soft silicone rubber material. To further
assure excellent transmission of the ultrasound pressure waves 48
from the ultrasound transducer 28 to the applicator head 98 a
slight coating of ultrasound conductive material such as water or
contact gel can be applied between the applicator contact surface
92 and the removable applicator head 98.
[0052] The applicator head 98 design depicted in FIG. 6 can be
executed either as permanently fixed to the applicator 80 or
constructed to be easily removable for replacement or exchange with
other optional accessories of the device.
[0053] FIG. 7A shows a simple inexpensive cone shaped applicator
head 100 designed for concave areas of the anatomy. Such small
concave areas as between the eyes and the nose or between the
cheeks and the nose are typically not accessible by the flat
applicator contact surface 92 of the applicator head portion 90 of
applicator 80 designed for larger soft surfaces of the anatomy. The
applicator head 100 is constructed of flexible materials, such as
flexible silicone rubber conducting the low frequency orbital
vibration 84 and vibration motion vectors 86 and 88 and the
ultrasound pressure waves 48 into these small concave areas. While
the conical shape of the applicator head 100 allows the contact
with the restricted areas, the ultrasound pressure waves 48 must
travel through a long path of 20 mm or longer ultrasound
attenuating flexible plastic material, which significantly
attenuates the ultrasound pressure waves 48 emitted by transducer
28, reducing the effectiveness of the device.
[0054] The applicator head 100 design depicted in FIG. 7A can be
executed either as permanently fixed to the applicator 80 or
constructed to be easily removable for replacement or exchange with
other optional accessories of the device.
[0055] FIG. 7B depicts a solution to the excessive ultrasound
pressure waves 48 attenuation described in FIG. 7A, which
eliminates the attenuation of the ultrasound pressure waves 48
emitted by the ultrasound transducer 28 and allow the ultrasound
pressure waves 48 to reach the small and restricted areas between
the eyes and the nose practically un-attenuated. The invention
employs a conically shaped non-attenuating ultrasound waveguide 122
insert within the applicator head 120 made of metal such as
aluminum, titanium or similar metals in solid contact with the flat
applicator surface 92 of the applicator head portion 90 of the
device. Aluminum or titanium metal is preferred for the waveguide
due to their light weight and their non-attenuating characteristic
of the ultrasound pressure waves 48. The waveguide 122 is a long
aspect ratio design, typically having a ratio of 4 to 1 or larger
between the length A and the tip diameter B. The larger base
diameter of the waveguide 122 is designed to match the size of the
ultrasound transducer 28 in the applicator head portion 90 of the
device. Tip diameter B is typically ranges between 4 mm and 6 mm.
The tapered construction of waveguide 122 focuses the acoustic
energy from the larger ultrasound transducer 28 into the smaller
tip diameter B and increases the efficiency of the device.
[0056] The shell of the applicator head 120 surrounding and
securing the metallic ultrasound waveguide 122 is typically made of
a flexible material, such as silicone rubber to provide a pleasant
tactile feeling for the user. Dimension C shown at the tip of the
applicator head 120 should be minimized to 1 mm or less to reduce
the attenuation of the ultrasound pressure waves 48 reaching the
skin of the user.
[0057] The applicator head 120 design depicted in FIG. 7B can be
executed either as permanently fixed to the applicator 80 or
constructed to be easily removable for replacement or exchange with
other optional accessories of the device.
[0058] FIG. 8 shows a removable cleansing brush head 112 installed
on the applicator head portion 90 of applicator 80. The brush head
112 is typically constructed of a semi rigid ABS plastic material
housing multiple tufts of bristles 114. As described in detail in
FIG. 5 the applicator motor 30 vibrates the applicator head portion
90 in an orbital vibration 84 pattern. This orbital vibration 84 is
transferred to the brush head 112 and the plurality of bristle
tufts 114. When energized through the interconnecting wiring 40 the
ultrasound transducer 28 generates and emits ultrasound pressure
waves 48 which are conducted by the applicator contact surface 92
to the brush head 112 and the bristle tufts 114 and radiated from
the bristle tufts 114 to the skin of the user. Applying slight
pressure of the orbitally vibrating 84 bristle tufts 114 against
the skin the user effectively cleansing the skin by the synergistic
scrubbing action of the bristle tufts 114 and the ultrasound
pressure waves 48 radiated by the bristle tufts 114.
[0059] FIG. 8 also shows an optional construction of the applicator
head portion 90 incorporating a stainless still cup 110.
[0060] While the preceding description contains much specificity,
these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the
invention, but rather as an exemplification of preferred and
additional embodiments thereof. Skilled artisans will readily be
able to change dimensions, shapes, and construction materials of
the various components described in the embodiments and adopt the
invention to various types of sonic and ultrasonic energy
applications. For example, additional removable and interchangeable
applicators for enhanced cleansing of the skin such as sponges,
cotton pads, lotion dispensers enhanced by the sonic and ultrasonic
frequency motion of the applicator head are possible. Accordingly,
the scope of the invention should be determined not by the
embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal
equivalents.
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